Golden Slipper discussion have been instigated after the Les Ross trained Mishani Honcho with Whiteley aboard took his earnings over the $400,000 mark after he collected his fourth winner’s cheque from six starts in taking out the $150,000 Coastline BMW Racing Minister’s 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday.

And owners Michael and Patty Crooks will seriously consider paying the $150,000 late entry for the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 21 if the Jet Spur youngster continues to perform well.

“We could go to the 1200m race in Brisbane and then go to the Todman Stakes and if he performed well in that then we could go to the Slipper,” Michael Crooks told The Courier Mail.

And Crooks was quick to nominate Whiteley to retain the ride in any southern campaign but also stated that promising Brisbane apprentice James Orman was in line to take the ride on Mishani Honcho at his next start at Doomben over 1200m on February 7.

“We will have to claim at his next start in Brisbane but if we are going south Chris will be coming,” Crooks said.

Whiteley has ridden Mishani Honcho four times for three wins and a second, including the win in the Group 3 $150,000 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on December 27 while Orman has also recorded a win and one unplaced run from his two rides.

The Group 2 $300,000 Todman Stakes (1200m) is run at Rosehill on March 7, two weeks before the Golden Slipper, and would give Crooks and Ross a good guide if their smart youngster deserves a shot at the world’s richest two year old race.

Crooks also has plan B and C in the discussions with the Group 1 $1m ATC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 4 also an option as is an ease up before preparing for the major two year old races during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

“Two weeks after the 1200m race there is a 1350m (race in Brisbane) and if that all works out we might pay up for the Sires Produce,” Crooks said.

“Otherwise we could stay home for the Brisbane winter carnival. I will just take it one day at a time and I’m just happy to have a horse that has won $400,000.”

About The Author

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.

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